Málaga!

Last weekend was our only free weekend of the trip.  Denver, Brett, Afhton, and I decided to go to Málaga!  It was one of the most beautiful and exciting places I have ever been and the trip itself was quite the experience.  We decided to travel by train because that isn't something we get to do often.  We left after class last Friday and walked to the station.  We had about 2 hours to kill because we were a little eager to get there!  There were a lot of stores but our favorite was the candy store-we stocked up on gummy bears, gummy worms, candy necklaces, and other fun goodies!  We finally got on the train and were even more excited when we found out we had the group of 4 seats with a table in the middle (only 2 groups per car..the rest are like airplane seating!).

He loves candy necklaces!

When we finally arrived, we didn't know what we had gotten ourselves into.  We walked out of the train station into a rundown area with construction everywhere and very few people around.  Once we started getting closer to our hostel, we relaxed and realized we were staying in a good part of town!  We stayed at the Oasis Hostel and it wasn't a bad experience.  We walked in and got our beds..we were in an 8 person room so we had 4 random roommates.  Unfortunately, 3 of the 4 of us slept on top bunks, which Denver fell off of the second night!  It was a clean, cheap alternative to a hotel but I still prefer hotels!  On the way to the hostel, we found a spa that has the treatment where fish bite off the dead skin off your feet.  Of course we HAD to try it.  We unloaded all of our things at the and headed straight there.  

 Denver freaking out

 We LOVED it!

After our feet were all done, we went to explore.  We ended up eating dinner at some little cafe and didn't enjoy the food that much, so we opted for a second dinner of McDonald's after we explored a little more.  Our hostel was about a 10 minute walk to the harbor, and it was a GORGEOUS place.  There were stores and restaurants all around it, and so many people!  We found live music, an outdoor movie, little booths set up (one that sold only bikini bottoms!), and just had a great time!  After we explored that area, we walked down to the beach.  The beach isn't sandy-it's more like gravel so it wasn't that fun to walk on.  However, since it's a rocky beach, the water was unbelievably clear.  It was gorgeous.  We finished our adventure and went back to the hostel to go to bed to get ready for our early, early, early morning.

 A really pretty church we found!

 Where they only sell bikini bottoms..weird

A (blurry) view of the castle!

The next morning, we got up around 6:30 to catch a train to go scuba diving.  I was so tired but it was worth it!  The spot where we dived wasn't gorgeous-it was off the beach and a LOT of people were diving right there.  It was a really cool experience-I had a panic attack when I first got down to the bottom but then I realized I could breathe and I was fine.  The Bahamas definitely had prettier reefs and everything, but it was cool to be down that deep and still be able to breathe and everything!  I definitely plan on getting certified when I get back!

After we dove, we went back to the hostel for a siesta.  Then we got ready and went to dinner and out for the night.  It was so much fun!  The next morning we had to check out by 11:30 and our train wasn't until 8.  Fortunately, the hostel allowed us to keep our bags in a locker there while we hung out around the city.  We found the Picasso museum and saw so much of his art-I don't like Picasso's art all that much but it was really neat to see art that is so famous.  We weren't allowed to take pictures but I snuck one of a piece called "The Acrobat".

We got to the airport a little early so we could have time to eat Burger King.  We then shopped around the airport and played cards.  When we got on the train, Afhton, Denver, and I sat together and Brett had to sit in a completely different car.  We played cards for about an 1 1/2 hours and it was a lot of fun.  

 Denver's pants ripped

Absolutely beautiful church near our hostel

Trains!

These past few days have been busy-we toured a castle, went to a bullfight, and we're touring the Flamenco Museum today.  My next blog will hopefully be later today, so be looking out for it!